December has become one of the busiest months of the year at James St, as work parties, family get-togethers and friends catching up before the holidays fill the brick-walled dining room on James Street South.
The same charcoal grill and locally sourced menu that runs through the rest of the year forms the backbone of Christmas dining here, dressed up for the season without losing what makes the food good in the first place.
Large Party Christmas Set Menu — £55 per person
For tables of 7 to 20 guests in the main restaurant, available from 25 November. It's three courses with no pre-order needed, so everyone chooses on the night. Starters include parsnip soup with curried oil, ham hock terrine with piccalilli and champ bread, and smoked salmon with pickled cucumber and wheaten. For mains, choose Co. Antrim turkey with sage and apricot stuffing, cod with haricot bean caponata, or truffle roasted cauliflower, or upgrade to a 283g Co. Tyrone sirloin for £7. Finish with winter trifle, a chocolate pot with espresso and hazelnut praline, Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, or Irish cheese.
Private Dining Christmas Set Menu - £62.50 per person
For parties of 30 to 40 in the first-floor private dining room, available from 25 November. You get the same festive menu with a room of your own, and again no pre-order is needed.
View the Private Dining Christmas menu
Both menus can start with a Mistletoe Spritz or a glass of mulled wine, and pigs in blankets are available as an extra side.
Work Christmas parties are a big part of December at James St, and the restaurant is well set up for them.
he Large Party Christmas Set Menu, for tables of 7 to 20, keeps larger tables moving smoothly through the evening, while the first-floor private dining room - seating 30 to 40 guests for Christmas bookings - offers a more private space for staff parties, client dinners or bigger family celebrations that want to be away from the main room.
Both options come with the same charcoal grill cooking and drinks list as the rest of the restaurant, including cocktails, wine, local beer and cider, and the full Bushmills whiskey range.
View Christmas Menu
The big cuts don't disappear at Christmas. Groups on either Christmas menu can upgrade their main to a 600g Co. Tyrone Chateaubriand or a 1.2kg Tomahawk to share, served with chips, peppercorn sauce, chimichurri and red wine jus, for a £25 per person supplement. It makes the main course a proper centrepiece, which suits a Christmas table.
December dates at James St tend to fill up well ahead of the month itself, particularly Fridays and Saturdays and any date suited to a large office party.
Anyone planning a Christmas dinner, work party or private dining booking is best to get in touch as early as possible to secure the date, time and room they want, whether that's a table in the main restaurant or the private dining room upstairs.
To check availability or discuss a group Christmas booking, contact the James St team on +44 (0)28 9560 0700 or through the website.
The restaurant is at 19–21 James Street South, Belfast, BT2 7GA, right in the Linen Quarter and an easy walk from the city's main hotels, shops and Christmas markets.
Book NowYour questions answered
How much is the Christmas menu at James St?
The Large Party Christmas Set Menu is £55 per person for three courses, for tables of 7 to 20. The Private Dining Christmas Set Menu is £62.50 per person for groups of 30 to 40. You can upgrade to a Co. Tyrone sirloin for £7, or to a Chateaubriand or Tomahawk to share for £25 per person.
How many people can you take for a Christmas party?
The main restaurant takes Christmas tables of 7 to 20 guests. The first-floor private dining room hosts Christmas parties of 30 to 40.
Do we need to pre-order?
No. Neither Christmas menu needs a pre-order, so your guests choose on the night.
When is the Christmas menu available?
From 25 November.
Is the à la carte menu available in December?
No. In December the restaurant serves the Christmas set menus. The à la carte, early-evening set menu and Sharing Steak & Wine offer return in January.
Are there vegetarian options?
Yes, there's a vegetarian choice at every course, including the Antrim beetroot and butternut squash salad, truffle roasted cauliflower and winter trifle. Let the team know about any dietary requirements when you book.
How do I book a Christmas party?
Call the James St team on +44 (0)28 9560 0700 or send an enquiry through the website. Fridays and Saturdays in December go first, so book early.